76 Photo by Stuart Millard/RNLI crew


also has to keep command of all the tasks such as navigation, radar, VHF direction finding and communication being carried out by the crew.


on the Tamar and Shannon all- weather-lifeboats. The 21 RNLI Dart lifeboat crew


had to be trained and become familiar with the new boat’s layout and where every piece of equipment was stored. They had to be able to access all the rescue equipment carried, even when the boat will be operating in rough seas and in total darkness. Another common factor was the water filled ballast tank in the bows to prevent the craft flipping over onto her back when she reached rough water. RNLI Dart has permission from the Harbour Master to travel above the water speed limit in the harbour in order to fill the tanks and this may occur as she leaves the harbour. The tank then has to be emptied before she can be re-berthed on the Aquadock. On 28 August, on what would


based at the RNLI Dart lifeboat station; the Atlantic 85 Norma Ethel Vinall kept on the enlarged Aquadock on the river and D838, Dudley Jane, housed within the lifeboat station. Mark Strudwick, Dart Lifeboat


THE ENHANCED CAPABILITIES OF THE ATLANTIC 85 Engines. The two 115hp four stroke Yamaha engines enable her to travel for 2.5 hours at full speed of 35knots. There is a start button for each engine and the choke is automatic. She runs on unleaded petrol straight from the pump. A button operated by the helm controls their trim. Unless it is a flat calm it is usual to throttle back at sea and continue at 30knots which still makes the 85 the fastest lifeboat class in the RNLI fleet, except for the even faster E boats on the Thames. There are no restrictions on how far out to sea she can go. The engines can be re-started electrically even after a total capsize.


Crew numbers. Four is the official maximum crew number. She can launch with three. Other emergency personnel eg a paramedic, can be carried in the 4th


seat. Photo by John Fenton


have been Regatta Friday in any normal year, HM Coastguard recognised B-825 as an operational Search and Rescue asset. Dartmouth now has two lifeboats


Operations manager, was keen to highlight that the new boat not only brings increased capability to deal with the situations she is tasked to in Start Bay and for 10 miles upstream on the river Dart, but also is safer for the four crew who are now seated and strapped into a self-righting lifeboat. Kevin Murphy, helm on both the boats, described having the Atlantic 85 as “Moving us up a league.” Not only does a helm have to deal with increased windage on the boat and power from the two 115hp 4 stroke engines, but


Weather conditions. The 85 can go to sea in a Force 4, 5 or 6, depending on the wind direction. “She is the right asset for the right job” “The smaller Atlantic 75 is a D class with seats. The 85 is an all-weather-lifeboat with no lid” said Rich Eggleton, Dart lifeboat Training Co-ordinator.


Within the first two weeks


of becoming operational the Coastguard called out the Atlantic 85 six times and the D class once. The first, a rescue of a single handed yachtsman and his dog, was the day before she became operational but the volunteers happened to be training with the right boat in the right place.


News, details of launches, photographs and videos can be found on the Dart station website. www.dartlifeboat.org.uk or the station Facebook page www.facebook.com/dartrnlilifeboat


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